1

Water Quality Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Project Water Quality Engineer

Hanover, MD ยท On-site

$71K - $92K/yr

Arcadis is looking for a Project Water Quality Engineer to join our National Resilience Water Team ... This includes assisting with pilot testing, technology evaluations (e.g., GAC, IX, membrane ...

Water Treatment Operator

Baltimore, MD ยท Remote

$25 - $30/hr

Monitoring and Testing: * Conduct regular water quality tests, including turbidity, pH, and chemical concentrations. * Analyze test results and make necessary adjustments to treatment processes.

Water Quality Control Technician

Edmonds, WA ยท On-site

$7.6K - $9.2K/mo

Water Quality Control Technician About the Department Public Works & Utilities serves a growing ... Coordinates meter repair and testing and monitors and maintains the meter shop inventory and record ...

Showing results 41-60

Water Quality Tester information

See salary details

$11

$29

$69

How much do water quality tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for water quality tester in the United States is $29.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.47 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a water quality tester?

Water Quality Testers are professionals who monitor and analyze the condition of water to ensure it is safe for consumption, recreation, and environmental health. They collect water samples from various sources, such as rivers, lakes, and treatment plants, and perform tests to check for contaminants, chemical levels, and other quality indicators. Their work helps protect public health and the environment by identifying pollution sources and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water quality tester?

To thrive as a Water Quality Tester, you need a solid understanding of environmental science, chemistry, and data analysis, typically supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, water sampling techniques, and data management systems like LIMS is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring accurate water assessments and maintaining public health and environmental standards.

What are some common challenges faced by water quality testers in the field?

Water Quality Testers often encounter challenges such as dealing with unpredictable weather conditions, accessing remote or difficult-to-reach sampling sites, and ensuring the accuracy of tests despite environmental variability. They must also manage strict adherence to safety protocols and regulatory standards, which can sometimes require working during odd hours or rapid response to contamination incidents. Collaborating effectively with environmental scientists, laboratory technicians, and government agencies is key to ensuring data integrity and supporting public health initiatives.

What is the difference between Water Quality Tester vs Water Laboratory Technician?

AspectWater Quality TesterWater Laboratory Technician
CertificationsWater Quality Testing Certification, EPA certificationsLaboratory certifications, EPA certifications
Work EnvironmentField testing sites, water treatment plantsLaboratories, research facilities
Job FocusOn-site water sampling and testingAnalyzing water samples in labs
Employer & IndustryWater utilities, environmental agenciesEnvironmental labs, research institutions

Water Quality Testers primarily perform on-site water sampling and testing to ensure water safety, while Water Laboratory Technicians analyze water samples in labs for detailed data. Both roles require similar certifications and work within water and environmental industries, but differ mainly in work environment and specific responsibilities.

How do you become a water quality tester?

To become a water quality tester, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with training in water sampling and testing procedures. Many employers prefer candidates with a background in environmental science, biology, or chemistry, and certification in water testing or laboratory skills can improve job prospects.
More about Water Quality Tester jobs
What cities are hiring for Water Quality Tester jobs? Cities with the most Water Quality Tester job openings:
What states have the most Water Quality Tester jobs? States with the most job openings for Water Quality Tester jobs include:
Infographic showing various Water Quality Tester job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,523 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Water Quality Lead (Sacramento)

McMillen, Inc.

Sacramento, CA โ€ข On-site

$143K - $209K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Design a career and build your future... Because it matters!

Water Quality Lead

McMillen, Inc is seeking a highly motivated and self-directed Water Quality Lead to provide technical and leadership support for complex water quality projects across the Northwest. The ideal candidate will be a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) with expertise in water quality modeling, technical documentation management, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities
  • Lead and supervise teams conducting water quality investigations, laboratory research, and regulatory impact analyses.
  • Oversee the preparation and review of technical documentation, study plans, and water quality reports.
  • Review and interpret analytical results from bacteriological and chemical analyses to ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Manage the response to water quality issues, including incident investigations and corrective action implementation.
  • Support water quality modeling, data management, and interpretation to guide project decisions.
  • Contribute to relicensing documentation, environmental reports, and compliance deliverables.
  • Ensure adherence to all applicable federal and state environmental regulations.
  • Implement and maintain management policies, quality assurance protocols, and operating practices.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to advance project objectives.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to junior staff and technical specialists.
Qualifications
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license required; Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Water Resources, or related field preferred.
  • Bachelorโ€™s or Masterโ€™s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, or related technical discipline.
  • 8+ years of relevant professional experience, including supervisory or project management roles.
  • Demonstrated expertise in water quality modeling and regulatory documentation management.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong technical and analytical abilities.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
  • Willingness to travel to project sites as needed and perform occasional fieldwork in varying weather conditions.
  • Flexible work schedule with both office and remote work options.
Compensation Package
  • Pay Range: $143,846 - $209,199
  • Benefits:McMillen provides a full Benefits Program consisting of Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, FSA, EAP, 401(k) and match, 9 Paid Holidays, generous PTO, opportunity for Stock Ownership and Wellness Reimbursement.
Who We Are:

McMillen, Inc. (McMillen) is an engineering, environmental, and construction firm providing scalable, multi-disciplinary capabilities. We are a design and build firm providing clients with balanced perspective and realistic solutions. With experts in the United States, Canada, Australia, and France, our staff bring best practices from the water resources, energy, dams, infrastructure, fisheries, aquaculture, and restricted access markets.

We balance technical precision with collaborative delivery throughout all project phases. We have the resources and expertise to contribute to a project at the feasibility and planning stage, navigate the regulatory and permitting requirements, develop detailed designs, self-perform construction, and participate in startup, testing, and commissioning. We offer strategic planning, technical expertise, comprehensive project management, and integration of multi-disciplinary studies for traditional and alternative project delivery methods.

We want our employees to make a career doing what they love to do. We aren't looking for the complacent or the comfortable. We are looking for the highly technical, the creators, the manic obsessives, the outliers who know being the best is a journey, not a finish line. We support our employees' efforts to stay on the cutting edge of technology while fostering a great work-life balance.

EEO:

McMillen, Inc. is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and will make all employment related decisions without race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Visa sponsorship, including renewal during employment, will not be provided for this position.

No recruiters, please.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.

#J-18808-Ljbffr